NS Atlanta welding plant named in honor of late engineering executive

Norfolk Southern named its rail welding facility in Atlanta, Ga., after the late Hubert Rose, who retired from Norfolk Southern as senior assistant vice president maintenance-of-way and structures and planning in 1991, after a 43-year career with the company.

Rose, who died in January 2012, headed the railroad’s maintenance-of-way group for 15 years, during which he led the railroad in its transition from laying jointed rail, which uses bolts to connect 39- or 78-foot sections of track, to installing continuous welded rail, in which 1,440-foot sections of rail are welded together to form one continuous track.

At the dedication Nov. 10, NS CEO Wick Moorman said, “Hubert Rose was an industry leader in the maintenance of rail infrastructure and he is the person most identified with helping Norfolk Southern take advantage of the benefits of continuous welded rail, saving millions of dollars in maintenance costs and preventing derailments. Putting his name on the building is a fitting thank you on behalf of our employees and friends everywhere.”

Since opening in 1958, the Atlanta rail fabrication plant has been manufacturing railroad track for Norfolk Southern. The complex stretches more than 30 acres and includes plants for rail welding, rail renewal, switch panels, track panels and rail reclamation. The rail welding and rewelding plants turn out new quarter-mile strands of rail for use on mainline tracks and reconditioned rail for use on secondary lines and industrial sidings.